The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1887-08-20
The Death of Father Ian.

from their slumbers Tuesday morning,
by the mOurnful tones of the bells of the
Catholic Church, which tolled at such a
peculiar time, that the whole community
repaired to the church, to ascertain the
cause. and were terrified on learning the
dreadful news, of the death of the vener-
able, and beloved Father Ange Marie F.
Jan, who was found dead i'm his bed.
The Rev. Father had been unwell for
some time past. and nOtwithstand-
his painful sufferings, was ever ready,
when called upon, to perform his arduOus
duties, ''day or night" He said Mass
on Assumption day, (Monday) and, at
tended to his duties in the church, until
a late hour in the evening, and when he
retired 10 his room, Mr.. Hitter and mis-
servants attended TO him, and expressed
some uneasiness about his condition,
but he said: '.DO not fear anything,
God is with me-" and sent them away.
The news of this sad event, spread like
wild fire, all the bells of the town began
to toll in mOurnful tones. And, gloom
and sorrow was cast upon the face of
every citizen of this parish. Telegrams
were Immediately sent to all the priests
of the neighborhOOd, who promptly arri-
we'd to pay their respect to the old
saint.
All places of business were closed, and
remained closed, until the venerable Fa-
ther was laid at rest, and out of respect
to his memory, a mourning Grape was
tackled on the doors of all business
places.
Father Jan was born in Brittany,
France, i'm the year 1902, was ordained
priest in 1925, and came to st. Martins
willie in 1851, and remained here until
the time of his death. He was the faith
full Pastor of the Catholic Church OF this
town, for 80 out of his 81 years of priest
hood, and was considered, and beloved,
as the venerable Father of the whole
community. 'He loved his people,"
At five o'clock the same evening, his
remains were taken to the church, and
laid in state, where the people cast a
last and sad look upon the one whom
they loved so dearly.
While lying in state, a constant flow of
people who took every object of piety
they had, and touched the hands of the
dead saint as is customary with christians
when saint dies. Father Jan was a saint.
The sad and impressive funeral rites
took place at the church at eight O'Clock
wednesday morning, fficiated by Rev.
Father Raymond of Opelousas. The
church was over crowded with SORROW
ing people. The funeral rites were sung
by the Iberia choir, under the Leadership
of Rev. Father Parmantier. After the
ceremony the brass band discOursed a
funereal march which brought tears tC
the eyes of the people who were over
come with grief and sorrow over the loss
they had suffered-the loss of a loving
and loved Father.
A procession was formed at three
o'clock in the evening which marched
around the church block, followed by
the fire brigades in full uniform, all the
societies of st Martinsville and over five
thousand people. After the procession
the burial ceremonies took place at the
church which contained over three thou
sand people. A eulogy was delivered BY
Father Chase Of New Orleans. Aftel
the culogy the impressive and sad rite
Of the Catholic church were sung, an'